The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1887-06-25

"ESIrt5ssEsT ~ 'I>9<---A-\
'No, THANKS, GENTLMEN
"Wall, hang up my pick and shovel
if that amt the queerest chap I've seed
in a long time" was the exclamation
Gerald heard as he stepped out.
His first inclination was to go to his
room, but on a second consideration he
decided to take q moonlight stroll over
his new home. Thoughts came fast as
he walked about the now. quiet and de-
serted.streets.3 as "'
Il have decided to begin life anew"
he said to himself. 'All that | cared to
live for has vanished. She has gone
from me and life seems a blank. The
past is dead, why should not Gerald
Chambers. be dead. By joye, here's an
idea, y Thus he walked about soloquiz-
ing and formulating plans for the fu-
ture. s ...... ....
Here am, " he continued, a "strang-
er in strange land. No one here knows
me, nor where come from. Thoughts Of
the past are bitter and harrow my soul,
and the very sound of my own name
has grown distasteful to me. There
can be no harm in it. BY jove, I'll do
it," and with this las resolve he re-
turned to the ''Nosepaint' and re-
tired
From that moment Gerald Chambers
was dead to the world. When he
looked aboutsn next day for some bust
ness opportunity the inhabitants knew
him as James johnson, a man who had
met financial reverses in the East, and
like themselves had driftedsto Oreton
in hopes of replenishing his empty
Golfers. 3A +"f @ {" W
As time wore on his superior quail
ties generally and many amiable traits
won him the friendship and esteem Of
the entire community. His appear
ance and bearing gained him the re-
spect of all. He was prosperous be-
You'd his most sanguine expectations
and in short time became the leading
spirit in all enterprises. His enthusi-
asm in matters pertaining to the well
fare of Oreton was unbounded, and
public honors were placed at his dis
posal. Every body had good word
for James johnson.
Ten years works wonders. The little
mining camp of .Oreton was now a
prosperous city. Large buildings had
been erected, and in place of the once
famous "Nosepaint'' Hotel a substan-
tial four-story structure had been built
for the same purpose by James john
son, who was now looked upon aud
recognized as the leading man of the
place.
Ten years had not entirely sufficed to
obliterate the scar upon his heart, and
the fact of his still being unmarried
proved his fidelity to his first love. But
this was soon, to change-sooner than
he anticipated. Time is a great healer
of mental wounds, and he who had re-
solved never to wed unless it be to Har-
liet Lane, would shortly find himself
growing we'll and strong once more.
Oreton had become quite an objective
point for summer tourists, and even
though a half score years had passed,
johnson occasionally saw people whom
he had known in his earlier life-wher
he was Gerald Chambers. But no one
recognized him; his full beard was alone
sufficient to prevent this. The johnson
House-as the citizens insisted the new
hotel should be called-being the lead
ing hostelry of the city, was, of course
frequented by the better class o
tourists.
Among the latter this summer wer,
two ladies, Miss DeBar and her maid
The former wore a deep black costume
J manifesting the fact that she had prob
T ably sustained some serious famil,
, affection, and her general appearance,
! indicated that she was in poor health
| Mr.. johnson at once felt kindly inter
est in the lady, and CLEANED from he
the fact of her fathers death; that sh
= had been i'll for some time. and tina
D her physician had advised her to max
. q tour Of the West